308/recoil/muzzle break - and maintaning a site picture?

[00Scot]

I have a 308 that I built mainly for target shooting out to 1000 yards which is now being converted back for hunting. I love the rifle, caliber, and the scope combo. But my question is this.....

would adding a muzzle break allow me to be able to keep on target for a follow up shot? (and if so then what kind of muzzle break) I understand that there are different types of muzzle breaks and flash suppressors. But I do not know enough about them to know which would be appropriate for my application. I can not add a suppressor in my state so that is not an option unfortunately.

Yes follow up shots can be done without a muzzle break. But not consistently (for me at least) when I am scoped in at higher mags. So what I would like to know is if I added a muzzle break would I stand a better chance at not coming off target for a fast follow up shot when I'm scoped in at high magnification?

I believe what I am looking for is something that will control the muzzle rise. Controlling recoil in general would be a plus. But my main concern is the muzzle rise. I will be removing 2-4 inches from my 26 inch HBar anyway. So adding an extra 1-2 inches of brl length for the muzzle break would not bother me. I don't have a preference if it is a removable or a permanent mount for the break.

I do not know how the removal of the 4 inches of brl will change my felt recoil and muzzle rise. I am told that this will be removing almost 2lbs of weight which I assume will increase the felt recoil. So that has to be factored in as well.

With all the above info what would you all recommend for my 20 inch Hbar 308 to allow me to stay on target when I'm scoped in between shots?

 

[Jim See]

http://centershotrifles.com/products/muzzle_brakes.php

see videos

 

[00Scot]

http://centershotrifles.com/products/muzzle_brakes.php

see videos

Thank you Jim See

 

[00Scot]

Can anyone give me a personal account of the use of a muzzle break on your own 308? Or other larger caliber. I'm just trying to find out if the muzzle break would make a huge difference on being able to keep my site picture for follow ups. I have heard different stories from different people. So I would like to hear a little more from people who know more of what they are talking about. I'm not sure how much I could trust the people at the range were saying simply because most of the talk and boasting from some of the guys at the range seems to be inaccurate!

 

[Jim See]

maintaining the sight picture depends alot on how you are shooting the gun, free, pod, rest and bags. I typically find when shooting on the bipod it takes me a few shots to relearn the proper hold to keep my sight picture after recoil.(even braked guns recoil) At distances of 400 yards I can usually spot my hits on the burm thru the scope when on 24 power. With my really big guns it may take 7 or 800 yards to get back in the scope to see the impact. With a braked 6mm br I have I can watch the holes apear in the paper at 200 yards when set up to track on my seb rest.

when problems arise is when the gun jumps left or right during recoil this makes spotting a hit very dificult.

 

[00Scot]

maintaining the sight picture depends alot on how you are shooting the gun, free, pod, rest and bags. I typically find when shooting on the bipod it takes me a few shots to relearn the proper hold to keep my sight picture after recoil.(even braked guns recoil) At distances of 400 yards I can usually spot my hits on the burm thru the scope when on 24 power. With my really big guns it may take 7 or 800 yards to get back in the scope to see the impact. With a braked 6mm br I have I can watch the holes apear in the paper at 200 yards when set up to track on my seb rest.

when problems arise is when the gun jumps left or right during recoil this makes spotting a hit very dificult.

Thank you Jim, that is the kind of info I was hoping for. I mainly want to know if a brake will help me with follow up shots on a moving animal (mainly a fast moving coyote). I'm hoping that the info I obtain from this thread (if it ever takes off) will help me make a decision on getting a muzzle break for my 308. If someone chimes in and says that it does really help for hunting then I would be inclined to start looking for the right one. Also on the reverse side if someone says that it wont help with hunting then I will forget about the idea.

 

[RDavies]

Do they help maintain sight picture, hell yeah. I love them because I,m a girly boy with recoil. BUT, they are very loud for the shooter and anyone next to him. I plan on using one for my next hunting rifle, but will have to use electronic ear muffs while using one.
I have used some (owned by others) 1000yd BR guns with them as well and they turned big magnums into kittens. (the shooters next to them hated it though)
The one which is going onto my new 1000yd gun (a 284) looks identicle to the muscle brakes ones in the links above.

 

[00Scot]

Thank you, that is good to know. I was worried about the sound characteristics and hunting.

Unless I get some form of electronic hearing device that will amplify the sounds of game but block out the blast of the rifle. I know they exist but never had a want or a need for them before. Anyone have any recommendations on one?

 

[00Scot]

Get a suppressor.

Can't, I live in Californiastan. They don't allow us to play with the cool toys. Trust me, if I could, I surely would! I can't even imagine what it would be like to hunt with a suppressor. That must be what heaven is like.

 

[VYD]

Yes, a good brake will reduce both recoil and muzzle jump. I have just received my .308 20" barreled Savage from the APA with their own "Little Bastard" brake on it. Amazing is all I can say. It sure feels like a varmint gun now and kicks just a notch more than 5.56. Jared and Mark do an awesome work.

http://www.americanprecisionarms.com/products-page/custom-parts/little-bastard-brake/

 

[00Scot]

Yes, a good brake will reduce both recoil and muzzle jump. I have just received my .308 20" barreled Savage from the APA with their own "Little Bastard" brake on it. Amazing is all I can say. It sure feels like a varmint gun now and kicks just a notch more than 5.56. Jared and Mark do an awesome work.

http://www.americanprecisionarms.com/products-page/custom-parts/little-bastard-brake/

Very interesting. Will the port any barrel? I was planning on shortening my 308 from 26 to 20 inches. Now I'm thinking that I might just have them do it instead of my local guy.

 

[VYD]

Yes, they will cut it, recrown it, and thread it. The best way to do it is call them first. I originally wanted a Surefire brake but was told it's a joke compared to the one they make. Not to mention Surefire is a lot more expensive.

 

[00Scot]

I like the idea of a break. But the extra noise is worrying me. I will not hunt with ears on and I value my hearing. (yes I realize that is a contradiction but I never said I was smart!) So I believe I will have to pass on the idea of the break.

 

[brian427cobra]

My 260 and 308 both have Tubb T2k brakes on them, they are not loud for the shooter like a Vias is, and they are adjustable, that is very important, I simply find a load that has the lowest SD\ES and screw the brake in\out to shrink the group, then lock it in place with the jam nut, I can see holes appear in my targets at 100 yards from the prone position, I can do that without a brake too, but with this brake its much easier.

http://www.davidtubb.com/t2k-muzzle-brake

 

[00Scot]

My 260 and 308 both have Tubb T2k brakes on them, they are not loud for the shooter like a Vias is, and they are adjustable, that is very important, I simply find a load that has the lowest SD\ES and screw the brake in\out to shrink the group, then lock it in place with the jam nut, I can see holes appear in my targets at 100 yards from the prone position, I can do that without a brake too, but with this brake its much easier.

http://www.davidtubb.com/t2k-muzzle-brake

I am curious as to why Tubb's break would be less annoying to the shooter then other breaks. That would work for me as I am going to be hunting with it and not worried about anyone with me. They could have ears on if needed. So that is something for me to think about now.


Any idea why a Tubb break does not increase the sound signature like other breaks do?

 

[brian427cobra]

I think its because the brake vents sideways and it has 5 ports, the T2k brake is also semi closed on the bottom so not to kick up dirt n grass.